10 reasons the frigid weather is actually good for us

Whether you call it a "snow hurricane" or "bombogenesis", this storm packs a punch worthy of its namesake.
USA TODAY

This image released by Netflix shows Claire Foy in a scene from, "The Crown." Foy was nominated for a Golden Globe award for best actress in a drama series or motion picture made for TV on Monday, Dec. 11, 2017. The 75th Golden Globe Awards will be held on Sunday, Jan. 7, 2018 on NBC. (Netflix via AP)(Photo: AP)

And it's only going to get worse. Thursday's forecast calls for a high of 8 degrees and a low of three below — and a wind chill of up to 20 below. And Friday and Saturday are expected to bring more of the same in what could amount to the coldest week of the winter so far.

But it turns out — no kidding! — this frigid weather is actually good for us (provided we're safe and warm).

Here are 10 reasons why:

1. Weight loss. Shivering burns calories. In fact, we burn five times more calories when we're shivering than when we're not, according to people who study such things. So go ahead, have another leftover Christmas cookie, order that pizza with double cheese and get a side of wings, too.

2. We can be late to work. Seriously, use the weather as an excuse. You didn't oversleep, you were late because your car wouldn't start in this cold. (Wink, wink.) And even once you got going, you had to take it slow just in case. Just in case of what? No need to answer that. Leave it to your boss's imagination.

3. We might get extra days off work. Think: snow days. Although if you're a day care provider, you may have to work more on snow days or when schools close due to extreme wind chill. Hmmmm.

4. It's a great excuse to binge-watch "The Crown" (the Netflix series about Britain's royal family)or anything else you find appealing. Because in this weather, it's really best to hunker down and stay warm in front of your television.

Claire Foy in "The Crown." (Netflix) (Photo: Netflix, TNS)

5. Pajamas. Severe cold makes it OK to spend the day in your pajamas because there's no need to get dressed in the morning when you're going to stay home and binge-watch all day. (The important phrase here is "when you're going to stay home." Under no circumstances should you wear your pajamas in public. Ever.)

6. It kills allergens. Few things can survive frigid weather, including allergens. Which means more of us will breathe easier.

7. It makes us smart. It takes less energy— which comes from glucose — to warm up our bodies than to cool down our bodies. Which means we have plenty left over for other things, including making complex decisions, according to research reported in "Scientific American." And that means deciding whether to get pepperoni or sausage on that double cheese pizza (see above) should be no prob.

8. You can spend quality time with your Instant Pot. Like half the world, you got one for Christmas — according to Amazon.com, its shoppers bought enough Instant Pot pressure cookers during the holiday season to make more than 9 million bowls of chili at once. And since it's too cold to go outside, you may as well stay indoors and put it to use.

In this May 15, 2017, file photo, television personalities Kim Kardashian West, left, and Khloe Kardashian attend the NBCUniversal Network 2017 Upfront at Radio City Music Hall in New York.(Photo: Evan Agostini, Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

9. It makes us want to cuddle. We're more likely to cuddle during the cold because it's comfortable — snuggling with your loved one on a hot and humid night (or day) in August can be the same as snuggling with a big blob of sweat which is, well, ick. Anyway, that type of cuddle closeness (plus boredom) can lead to sex. Which provides participants with an endorphin boost. Which could be just the thing many of us need to get through this cold stretch.

10. It's taking away attention from the pregnant Kardashian/Jenner sisters. Khloe Kardashian is six months pregnant. Sister Kim Kardashian West is expecting a baby via surrogate. Half sister Kylie Jenner is also pregnant, according to multiple reports. But whoops! Now I've just put them back in the spotlight. Ugh, sorry.